In collaboration with key partners, Herts Sports & Physical Activity Partnership (HSP) is proud to announce the unveiling of its new Sport and Physical Activity (S&PA) Sector Skills Strategy for the county. This innovative strategy, encompassing both volunteers and paid employees, has two main aims:
- to recruit, retain and develop a workforce to match the demands of the sector, and
- to foster a diverse and inclusive workforce within the sector.
The development of the Sector Skills Strategy was made possible through a pilot study funded by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) and Sport England. This comprehensive study involved an Organisational Training Needs Analysis (OTNA), identifying Hertfordshire's vibrant sector's pressing training and development requirements.
HSP established a Sector Skills Advisory Board to formulate the Sector Skills Strategy. Comprising representatives from Higher Education, Further Education, employers, CIMSPA, and the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), this collaborative effort ensured the strategy was well-rounded and aligned with the county's specific needs. The strategy’s publication will occur during the highly anticipated UK Coach Education Week, held from 5th June to 11th June. The strategy and action plan will serve as a platform to showcase the transformative potential of the sport and physical activity sector.
HSP remains dedicated to advancing workforce development throughout the county and sub-region, and introducing this new strategy underscores their unwavering commitment. Engagements are underway with Sport England and other key stakeholders to secure additional investment for this initiative, enabling the Partnership to leverage broader funding opportunities for the development of paid employees and volunteers.
Chair of the Sector Skills Board, Associate Professor Michael Callan PhD, expressed his enthusiasm for the new Sector Skills Strategy, said “The new Sector Skills Strategy supports the HSP’s wider Strategic Plan for 2022-2027, which is aimed at creating a diverse, inclusive, and ‘Fit for Purpose’ workforce. It has already been favourably received by CIMSPA and the LEP and will act as the basis for the Partnership’s exciting work around workforce development, going forward”.
HSP Director, John O'Callaghan, echoed this sentiment, saying, "HSP is fully committed to diversifying the wider workforce in Hertfordshire, and the Sector Skills Strategy will play a pivotal role in driving this important work. As we roll out the Workforce Action and Implementation Plan, we have a unique opportunity to promote our values and provide leadership.”
The Herts Sports & Physical Activity Partnership is poised to revolutionise the sport and physical activity sector with its forward-thinking Sector Skills Strategy. By investing in skills development and cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce, HSP is primed to elevate the social impact of sport and physical activity in Hertfordshire and beyond.
